Tuesday, February 05, 2013

Two sisters of the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham will return to Walsingham this month to assist with the apostolic work of the National Shrine of Our Lady.

Sister Jane Louise and Sister Wendy, who were amongst the first to join the Ordinariate in January 2011, were members of the Anglican Society of Saint Margaret, based in Walsingham, until they became Catholics. They will now return to ‘England’s Nazareth’ where they will help to welcome pilgrims at the National Shrine of Our Lady.

Sr Jane Louise will take up a new role at the shrine as Youth Missioner, working with individual young pilgrims and groups who visit the shrine to hear more about the history and message of Our Lady of Walsingham.

Sr Wendy will be welcoming pilgrims to the shrine and also working as an assistant to the Shrine Sacristan, helping with the day-to-day running of the church and pilgrimage facilities.

The sisters said, “We are very happy to be returning to a place which, as many people feel, is home, and to be returning as Catholics completes this part of our journey. We are excited about the future and if God is willing, that we will grow in number. We are entrusting ourselves to our Lord and our Lady to take care of that”.

The sisters will take up residence in St Bernard’s Cottage on the High Street in Walsingham. Whilst they will be unable to receive staying guests or pilgrims, they will be glad to hear from friends - old and new.

The sisters will continue in Private Vows, being known as the Marian Servants of the Incarnation.